GE Energy's Jenbacher Gas Engines bring Power to Rural Bangladesh

The 93-Megawatt Shahjibazar Project marks one of GE’s largest orders for Jenbacher Units

A new 93-megawatt, independent power plant features GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engines to provide much needed power to thousands of homes in Bangladesh as part of a major rural electrification initiative.The project is one of the latest to be developed by independent power producers (IPPs) that are rapidly building new power plants— with government support — to improve electricity supplies in rural areas of Bangladesh that do not have reliable transmission grids.

Shahjibazar Power Co. Ltd., an independent power producer (IPP), recently ordered 32 of GE’s natural gas-fueled J620 GS Jenbacher engines, which have been installed at a site located about 180 kilometers north of the nation’s capital, Dhaka.

“As Bangladesh’s economy continues to grow, the government and private sectors are seeking solutions to improve the country’s energy infrastructure,” said Prady Iyyanki, CEO of GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engine business. “GE’s fuel-flexible Jenbacher engines are a cost efficient, highly reliable power generation solution, making them suitable for a variety of projects in Bangladesh and throughout South Asia .”

The units for the Shahjibazar project are contained in two powerhouses and generate 92.8 MW of electricity for the local grid. The engines have been commissioned in early 2009.

GE’s authorized Jenbacher engine distributor for Bangladesh , Orient Energy Systems, secured the engine order. Through Orient Energy, GE is able to offer prompt and efficient local customer service to Shahjibazar Power Co. and other independent power producers in the region .

“GE’s Jenbacher gas engine technology offers the durability, reliability and performance we need to help assure the success of our rural electrification initiative in support of continued economic development throughout Bangladesh ,” said Feroz Alam, Managing Director of Shahjibazar Power Co.